Lighting-system switch



July -19, 1927.

w. w. WOODROOF LIGHTING SYSTEM swxwcn Filed Nov. 1'9. 192s oll bPatented July 19, 1927.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM WQWOODROOF, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

LIGHTING-SYSTEM swrron.

Application filed November 19, 1925.' Serial No. 70,149.

This invention relates vto lighting and signaling systems forautomobiles and other like vehicles and more especially the inventionhas relation to a multiple position switch for such a system togetherwith the wiring connections. r

One important object of the invention is to improve the generalconstruction of devices of this character. Y

A second object of the invention is to provide a novel rotary switch ofimproved construction and peculiarly adapted for the control of amultiplicity of lighting circuits.

With the above and other objects in view as will'be hereinafterapparent, the invention consists in general of certain novel details ofconstruction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described,illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings like characters of reference indicate likeparts in the several views, and:

Figure 1 is a sectional View through a switch constructed in accordancewith this invention.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of a movable contact plate used herewith.

Figure 3 is a bottom view of acertain fixed contact plate. I

Figure 4 is a top View of the last mentioned plate.

Figure 5 is a typical wiring diagram for use with this switch.

This switch is provided with a container shell 10 having a threaded neck11 so that it may be screwed into position on a suitable support.Located within the shell is a circular plate 12 of insulating materialand this plate is fixed within the shell by screws 13. There are eightcontact points on this plate and these contact points are as follows.There is a central contact point 14: which is connected to the mainlighting lead 15, concentric with this point is a pair of contacts 16 ofarcuate form and these are the horn button contacts, being arcuate tomaintain the horn circuit ready for closing no matter what the positionof the switch is with reference to the lights. One of these contacts isconnected by a wire 17 with horn 18 while the other is left blank forother connections if desired. Next there are a series of five arcuatelydisposed contacts arranged around on the plate 12 adjacent its I theautomobile.

periphery. Central of these is contact number 20 which is connected by awire '21 to the bright light circuit of the headlights H.

Oneach side of this is a contact 22 connected by a wire 23 to the dimheadlight circuit. At the left end there is a contact 24.-

which pass contact studs 30 extending from a metal body 31 mounted in aninsulating button 32 havinga flanged inner end 33 I fitting within theshell 10, a'collar 34 being screwed on the shell to hold the button inposition. Thus by rotating the button the plate 28 can be rotated. Onthe plate 28 is a centrally disposed contact 35 connected by a bus 36with a contact 37 so positioned as to sweep over the contacts 22, 24 and26. This central contact 35 is in the form of a stud which seats in thehollow contact 14 and thus forms an axis on which the plate 28 revolves.At 38 are dummy stops which merely support the surface of plate 12 so asto give a three point support for the plate 28 and prevent tilting ofthe same. Centrally of the block 31 and the plate 28 are recesses toreceive a spring 39 which normally holds the contact 30 out ofengagen'ient with the contacts 16, but which can yield so that when thebutton 32 is pushed in the horn circuit is closed. This spring is keptfrom contact with the contact 35 by a washer 39' of insulating material.It will now be seen that with this switch a circuit such as is shown inFigure 5 can be readily operated because by rotating the switch in onedirection or the other either bright, dim, right or left hand signalsmay be shown, while at the same time in any one of these positionspushing the button in will blow the horn. It is obvious that the contact14 should be connected to the source of supply, whether generator orbattery, such source being here shown at 40 as the battery but of coursethe usual and well known automatic switch may be used to throw from thebattery to the generator when the engine is running, it not beingthought necessary here to disclose such a well known feature.

- is clai-me,

There has thus been provided a simple and eflicient device of the kinddescribedand for the purpose specified.

It is obvious that minor changes may made in the form and constructionof the invention without departing from the material spirit thereof. Itis not, therefore, desired to confine the invention to the exact formherein shown andzdescribed, but is desired to include all such asproperly come within the scope claimed.

Havin -thus described the invention, what %i as-new, is:

1. In a switch, a fixedplatehaving-a central'contact, a-pair of arcuatecontacts and an-outer series of contacts adjacent its periphery; arotatableplate havinga central contact constantly engaging the centralcontact of-the first plate and a contact connected to'the centralcontact and positioned to and electrically connected prongs engaging insaid openings to rotate the second plate and move into and out ofengagement with the arcuate contacts; and spring means normally holdingthe operating member away from the second plate.

2. In combination, a shellhaving-a fixed contact plate therein andprovided with a central contact and a, series of contacts arranged inspaced relation on an are adjacent theperipbery of said plate, arotatable plate mounted in spaced relation to said fixed plate. and.having: a central contact engaging the central contact of the fixedplate and a second contact-- electricallyconnected to its centralcontact and positionedto sweep overthe arcuate series ofcontacts on thefixed plate, a button having a conductive' body a nd an operatingportion insulated from the body, a pair of prongs on said body, said 1second plate having openings in which said prongs slidably engage,a-pair ofarcuate contacts on opposite SI-(16S of the central contact ofthe first" plate and concentric therewith,- said last contacts beingitioned' for engagementby said in t e various operative positionsofteseccnd plate, and spring means -v normally holding said 4 button awayfrom said second plateandthe prongs; out ofengagement with the arcuatecontacts.

In testimony whereof Ilatfix m signature.

WILLIAM W; WOO ROOF.

